Vanzant re-signs with Island Storm

His high school coach in Florida called Shawn Vanzant a winner and so far his career has been just that, part of winning teams.

The six-foot-one guard has signed to come back for a second season with the Island Storn after helping the team get to the NBL of Canada final last year.

Vanzant became one of head coach Joe Salerno’s first choices off the bench last season to provide energy to the Storm or to match up and stop an opposing guard.

One of the NBL’s fastest and quickest players, Vanzant shot 42 per cent from beyond the arc, 42 per cent from the floor, 77 per cent from the free throw line and committed less than one turnover per game for the Storm

He was the team No. 1 pick in last year’s league draft in Toronto.

Vanzant is a product of the Butler University program in Indianapolis where he played four years, going to the NCAA tournament each of those four seasons and to the NCAA title game in 2010 and 2011.

A Tampa, Fla., native, he also played professionally in Finland and was drafted 62nd overall by the Springfield Armor of the NBA’s D-League in 2012.

“It will be great to have Shawn back this season,” said Salerno. “Shawn is as tough as a competitor as you can find, and was solid for us last season coming off the bench. Unfortunately, he was hampered by a nagging back injury for the last quarter of the season or so, so it will be nice to have him back and healthy.

“Shawn plays a big role for our ball club, now that he has a year under his belt in the NBL, I think he will have a great season for us.”

Meanwhile, the Storm summer basketball camps continue at Morell High School this week with the final camp coming up Aug. 18 to 21 at Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside. Camps are free and space is still available at Three Oaks.

The team has also announced auditions will begin for the Storm Chasers dance team today at the Dance Virtuosa Dance Studio.

Registration takes place between 5 and 5:30 p.m. with auditions to begin at 5:30 p.m.